9.05.2011

Happy Labor Day, everyone! I am enjoying the day at home. I got to sleep in, bake a cake, catch up on my DVR'd shows, and I'm about to go walk in this AMAZING 70 degree weather that hit us this morning!

Yesterday, I slaved away in the kitchen. Well, sort of. I've found this blog that has 365 crock pot recipes and I've been spending some time going through the list of recipes, checking out the ingredients, and "pinning" the recipes I like onto my Pinterest board that I've titled "Crock Pot Creations." This has been a lifesaver because I can spend a few hours on Sunday, or 30 min each night of the week, chopping and pouring the ingredients into gallon ziplock bags that I put in the freezer and then dump into the crock pot the next morning. When I get home and I'm exhausted, I don't have to stand on my feet for an hour in the kitchen. I just open the crock pot and enjoy. I still have to do a few dishes afterward....wah wah

When I think Crock Pot/Slow Cooker, I think Fall/Winter dishes. Soups, Stews, etc. BUT...I've found a few recipes to use up my summer vegetables and they were delicious!

*Don't forget to spray your crock pot with cooking spray or put some olive oil on the bottom before layering in your meal!

2) Wash & cut all vegetables and place in a large mixing bowl. Toss vegetables in balsamic vinegar & Worcestershire sauce.

3) Peel the head of garlic, leaving the cloves intact, & toss into the crock pot.

4)Pour vegetables on top of chicken in the crock pot.

5) Cook on low 6-8 hours

Serve with whatever grains you'd like. We ate this over brown rice. This had great flavor, but was still a light dish from the lean chicken and the vegetables. My husband loved it, so that must mean it's good!

1) In a food processor or blender, combine the ingredients for your pesto. When liquidy, taste. If you need to add more citrus or salt or pepper, do so now.

2) In the bottom of a large slow cooker, arrange your chicken pieces. Mine were still frozen.

3) Layer on the mozzarella cheese.

4) Pour pesto evenly on top.

5) Cover with a layer of foil or parchment paper.

6) Scrub sweet potatoes well, prick with a fork, and lay them on top of the paper or foil.

7) Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 4-5. (If your chicken is frozen it will take a bit longer.)

Thanks to Stephanie O'Dea at crockpot365.blogspot.com for taking the 365-day crock pot challenge and providing these wonderful recipes, as well as "the verdict" on how they turned out! I'm so happy to have a go-to list since I'm crunched for time!